Former B.C. NDP MLA Dan Coulter dead at 49 after 'medical emergency'
London fire on scene of blaze at house
Family of Gaza doctor fear for his safety as Israel claims arrests of October 7 attackersPORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The United Nations raised the death toll of a recent massacre in which dozens of older people and Vodou religious leaders were killed by a gang in Haiti, and called on officials to bring the perpetrators to justice. The U.N. Integrated Office in Haiti said in a report published on Monday that between Dec. 6 and 11 more than 207 people were killed by the Wharf Jeremie gang. The gang took people from their homes and from a place of worship, interrogated them and then executed them with bullets and machetes. Earlier this month, human rights groups in Haiti had estimated that in the massacre, but the new U.N. investigation doubles the number of victims. “We cannot pretend that nothing happened” said María Isabel Salvador, the U.N. secretary-general’s special representative in Haiti. “I call on the Haitian justice system to thoroughly investigate these horrific crimes and arrest and punish the perpetrators, as well as those who support them,” she said in a statement. Human rights groups in Haiti said the after the son of Micanor Altès, the leader of the Wharf Jeremie gang, died from an illness. The Cooperative for Peace and Development, a human rights group, said that according to information circulating in the community, Altès accused people in the neighborhood of causing his son’s illness. “He decided to cruelly punish all elderly people and (Vodou) practitioners who, in his imagination, would be capable of casting a bad spell on his son,” the group said in a statement released shortly after news of the massacre emerged. In Monday’s report, the United Nations said that people were tracked down in their homes and in a place of worship by Altès’ gang, where they were first interrogated and then taken to an execution site. The United Nations said that the gang tried to erase evidence of the killings by burning bodies, or by dismembering them and throwing them into the sea. The massacre is the latest humanitarian tragedy in Haiti, where gang violence has intensified since the nation’s president was killed in . Haiti has struggled to organize an election that will fill the power vacuum and restore democratic rule. The Caribbean nation is currently governed by a transitional council that includes representatives from the business community, civil society and political parties, but its government has no control over many areas of the capital city, and gangs are constantly fighting over ports, highways and neighborhoods. According to the United Nations, more than 5,350 people have been killed in Haiti’s gang wars this year. The Haitian government acknowledged the massacre against older people in a statement issued earlier this month, and promised to persecute those responsible for this act of “unspeakable carnage.”
Cage Rage, the biggest MMA event and organization in Sri Lanka, concluding a highly-successful year of fighting action by organising its final event for the year - ‘Cage Rage powered by Birds Resort Hambantota’ at the Royal-MAS Arena recently. The key highlight of the evening was the highly-anticipated showdown between Caesar vs Meshack where Caesar emerged victorious after a close battle. Caesar received the official Title Belt, a sparkling belt with 22-karat gold and studded with valuable jewelry that gave it a dazzling bling effect, bringing it on par with what fans have seen on TV in international events. This was followed by the fights between Malinda and Dilukshan (Winner – Diluksha), Vimukthi and Abhishek (Winner – Abhishek), Sahan and Theminda (Winner – Theminda), Chamoth and Musharraf (Winner – Chamoth), Sithara and Thilanka (Winner – Sithara) and Rahuman vs Heshan (Winner – Heshan). All fighters were given the royal treatment and made a spectacular entrance at the event. This is the fourth Cage Rage event organised this year, with the first three events achieving success on many fronts, including by securing the biggest social media reach of over a 130,000+ individuals. This highlights Cage Rage as the undisputed market leader in combat sports industry in Sri Lanka. The company has taken numerous steps to create excitement through promotional videos, post fight interviews, and bigger payments to fighters. Several local celebrity fans of MMA and Boxing actively promoted the event. Special guest appearances by famous personalities and performances by popular DJs have helped to enhance the entertainment levels and ensure audiences are offered an entertainment experience on par with international fighting events. Cage Rage Founder Dhiren Mapagunaratne commented, “We are thrilled to end a successful year for Cage Rage with our fourth event of 2024. We are certainly heading in the right direction in elevating Sri Lanka’s MMA and boxing events to international standards. With the support of our loyal fan base, both in the stadium and online, together with the help of our wonderful sponsors, I am confident that we can take Cage Rage to the next level in 2025.” As Sri Lanka’s pioneering fight event company, Cage Rage has been harnessing all their efforts on nurturing the sports of MMA and boxing in the country. With several successful fight events under its belt already, Cage Rage is able to provide a platform for local MMA fighters to showcase their fighting skills to a loyal, growing fan base. The events also help to enhance their skills by pitting the best local fighters with each other as well as against top fighters from the international arena. The company has made a notable difference in the income levels of fighters for participation and has also enhanced their exposure to a wider audience, driven by the campaign for the event carried out on multiple platforms. Birds Resort Hambantota, Sri Lanka’s first luxury aviary resort located inside South Asia’s largest bird park, was once again the Main Sponsor of Cage Rage. Cage Rage was also supported by Hype Bam, Sri Lanka's very own energy drink built to Fuel the Rebel, LAUGFS Lubricants, a subsidiary of LAUGFS Holdings and the only company to launch its own oil manufacturing in Sri Lanka, Morven Colombo, a premier boutique hotel in Colombo which is also the official Hospitality Partner, Supreme Sports, Sri Lanka's 1st Sports Entertainment Channel and the jeweller Silver Sparkles.
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The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Friday appointed Alhaji Nasiru Haladu Danu as the Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the forum. Danu who hails from the Sardauna Dutse and Tafida Babban Daura is expected to stimulate the Arewa Consultative Forum towards desired progress and focus. While inaugurating the committee, ACF Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr. Bashir Dalhatu, said the aim is to promote the socio-economic advancement of Northern Nigeria. “Alhaji Danu, a respected figure in Nigeria’s business and political landscape, has pledged to harness the committee’s potential to ensure an accurate narrative for the North and foster stability in the region and the country as a whole. “His philanthropic efforts, through the Nasiru Haladu Danu Foundation, NHD, have positively impacted thousands of lives, notably providing free medical care, education and empowerment across Nigeria,” he said. Members of the committee include Dr Mahmood (Modi) Halilu Ahmed, the Sarkin Gabas Adamawa, Senator Binta Masi Nasir Garba, a distinguished legislative leader, veteran journalists Muhammad Abubakar Kudu, Ishaq Modibbo Kawu, and Ramalan Tijani, and music icons Zakky Adzay and Aminu Ala. Abdullahi O. Haruna (Haruspice), a social media personality, is also part of the committee. “This appointment is expected to further bolster the ACF’s mission to promote Northern Nigeria’s development and unity,” the Board of Trustees chairman, Dalhatu added.